Tony Danza and Tupac Shakur Were Pen Pals

In what may be the most absurdly hysterical celebrity friendship in history, Tony Danza recently revealed in an interview with Access Hollywoodthat he and late rapper Tupac Shakur were in fact close friends before Shakur was killed in 1996.

Danza, who stopped by Access Hollywood to promote his new book I’d Like To Apologize To Every Teacher I Ever Had, said he befriended the rapper while Tupac was in jail. Danza said the two had an ongoing pen pal relationship until Tupac’s death.

“I was trying to make a point that since he had five bullet holes in him and he was in jail and he’s the same guy that wrote ‘Dear Mama’ and did all those great acting roles, I said, ‘Maybe there is a better way to do this. Maybe, I know you can’t be a goodie two-shoes in your business, but maybe there is a way to inspire kids,” recalls Danza in reference to a written exchange with Tupac in 1995.

Tony added, “I said, ‘Because you have such a great influence, responsibility comes with that.’” Danza said Tupac replied by saying, “Thanks for understanding me.”